Board revives plan for Saint-Joseph

Midland Mirror

PENETANGUISHENE – Grade 6 and 7 students at École Saint-Joseph in Penetanguishene might not return to the school in September. Instead, they could start their high school careers early at École Secondaire Le Caron.
When the issue of housing Grade 7 and 8 classes at the secondary school first arose in 2009, parents were against the change.
“We consulted every community in our system, and if they didn’t want to do it then we didn’t do it. St. Joseph and Le Caron were the only schools that turned it down,” said Guy Belcourt, a Conseil Scolaire Viamonde trustee.
Claire Francoeur, director of public relations and communications with the board, said some parents have since changed their minds.
“Last year, some parents started to think maybe it would be better,” Francoeur said. “They see what’s happening at École Secondaire Roméo Dallaire in Barrie, where the Grade 7 and 8s grow into the school. Some started to ask if it would be possible for our kids. While it is a possibility, we need to have a majority of parents’ approval.”
Although the impact is years away for Kim Gair, mother of a son in junior kindergarten and a daughter in Grade 3, she said she would prefer they finish their education at Saint-Joseph.
“I like the smallness of the school, but … I understand it’s about logistics and numbers. It’s about what we can do financially to make it work,” she said. “They want to keep the French high school in the area.”
Still, there are concerns that students aren’t ready to be part of a secondary school in Grade 7.
“I’m sure some would be,” Gair said. “Le Caron is small to begin with, and they do this all over the place. It’s just new to us and our small community. I’d rather them not be exposed to that stuff any earlier than they have to be.”
According to Francoeur, the transition would benefit students.
“It’s better for pre-teenagers to be in an environment where they have access to activities suited for their age, such as gyms and labs. They would not be mingling with Grade 9-12 (students) every day and would have their own section of the school.
“They would receive special attention, and specialists would deliver classes such as math, English and gym. It’s a step to prepare them for a better transition to secondary school.”
Francoeur said the decision now waits on the results of a survey that was sent home to parents at both schools in the fall.
“There are currently 168 students at Saint-Joseph and 183 at Le Caron. Twenty-eight families could be moved, but we sent the survey to every parent in the schools,” said Francoeur.
“If the parents decide this is what they want, the next step will be to pass a special file in front of the trustees and ask for authorization, and then start preparing for September transition. If the parents refuse, things will remain as they are right now. Even if we find it’s better for the students, we won’t ever go against the will of the parents.”
Meanwhile, parents like Kim Gair are trying to be realistic about the proposal.
“Do I think it’s in the best interest of my daughter?” she asked. “Not necessarily, but I understand the reasoning.”